Reading FC Match Report: 2016/2017 Season - Championship

24 January 2017READING 1 FULHAM 0

Reading: R Beerens (49) Fulham: --

Reading deservedly came out on top in a highly entertaining match which simmered through the first half before coming to the boil just after half time with the award of a penalty for the Royals. Although Reading once again failed to convert the penalty, Beerens gave them the lead reacting fastest to smash home the rebound from Swift’s spot kick. In a dramatic finale Al Habsi saved a penalty awarded to Fulham almost on full time to deny the visitors an equaliser. Reading saw out the five minutes of stoppage time to claim the three points which lifted them back into third place in the Championship.

Not for the first time this season Reading struggled to play their way out of their own half in the early stages of the game. Fulham pressed hard and looked more likely to create an opening. When Reading did break out of their own half they lacked penetration. McCleary playing up front in place of the rested Kermorgant managed to get beyond the Fulham defence in wide positions but his inability or reluctance to deliver an accurate cross with his left foot allowed Fulham to get back in position. Eventually Reading began to dominate in midfield with Kelly, Swift and Williams working hard defensively and using the ball well. Beerens switched to the left and tormented Kalas turning the Fulham full back inside out with his sharp turns and acceleration. Swift drew a save from Button and when the ball was pinged back across the six yard box McCleary, unmarked, hit it wide from close range although to fair it came at him with considerable pace. It was a finely balanced game and although goalless at the interval both sides hinted at better things to come in the second half.

Within minutes of the restart Moore had his run blocked in the box and referee Martin had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. After the obligatory gamesmanship of the protracted protests to unsettle the penalty taker Swift had his kick blocked by Button only to see Beerens hammer home the rebound with the confidence which comes from good technique. Fulham almost capitulated and began conceding possession with alarming ease. Kelly brought down a long ball with an exquisite touch and slipped the ball to Swift who looked certain to add a second goal until he was denied by a desperate but effective challenge. It was now a fast and open game as Fulham pushed forward in pursuit of an equaliser. Reading had chances to kill the game off and had McCleary timed his passes better it could have been wrapped up long before the end. It was McCleary who came closest to the crucial second goal when he cut inside and crashed a long range effort against the bar with Button well beaten.

Sensing Fulham getting the upper hand he made sensible substitutions. Blackett was unable to get to grips with Frederick’s pace and was replaced by new boy Ilori who also struggled to contain the Fulham wing back. Kermorgant and Evans came on for Beerens and Kelly. In both cases it was no reflection the quality of performance. Both had excellent games. Fulham had chances to draw level. Piazon and Aluko had shots blocked before a clumsy challenge on Piazon by Moore in the box gave them the chance to salvage a point. Fortunately for Reading, Fulham are also having problems scoring from spot kicks and Al Habsi’s excellent save was celebrated like a winning goal.

What the game lacked in quality it more than made up for it in entertainment value. This victory was significant in the manner in which it was achieved. Throughout the team there are players who look comfortable in possession and exchanged passes with greater cohesion than earlier in the season, but also their work rate has noticeably increased. Kelly was an outstanding example with his appetite for a tackle and an eagerness to get on the ball and create something. With three games in eight days Stam was right to rotate his squad. He clearly has faith in all his players to come in and perform well.
Saturday will be a very different game. When Mr Warnock comes to town you can always expect the ugly side of the game to emerge both on and off the pitch. On this evening’s showing the Royals will be up for the challenge.

John Wells

Post Match Fans' Opinion

PieEater

» 24 Jan 2017 23:27

That was a well deserved win on a freezing night. First half I thought we were pretty poor with a new 5-3-2 formation to match Fulham, they looked a lot better team than us and I think we were lucky to get to half time 0-0. GMac missed a tap in from a yard but I think he was offside. otherwise we offered no threat and just tried to nullify Fulham.

Second half we got a break, I'm not sure how much of a pen it was, and we've now missed 7 out of the last 10 (but scored 9), but that gave us a lot confidence and should of scored 2 or 3 more. Gmac hit the bar and both him and Beerens were wasteful on breakaways.

Fulham never really threatened until their pen, and AAH saved us again.

I'd of liked to have seen Samuel on for Swift rather than Kermo for Kelly - who had another good game - but otherwise I think Stam's subs were ok

Royalwaster

» 24 Jan 2017 23:36

Are we the worst team in the FL on penalties ... at least we score on the rebound, but missing that many penalties is absurd.

Pepe the Horseman

» 24 Jan 2017 23:38

Fulham have missed 23 penalties this season.

PieEater

» 24 Jan 2017 23:41

The BBC site says Fulham have missed 7 in 9, so they are worse than us

Royalwaster

John Madejski's Wallet

» 24 Jan 2017 23:55

Well that was fun
2 awful pens

Was really intrigued by not having a striker, but we played with a lot of zip and purpose looking to get our front 3 in behind. Turns out we looked a lot more dangerous. Swift and Kelly played a lot of lovely balls around the corner to each other. Really good to see the team defending from the front and doing to Fulham what other teams have been doing to us (pressuring us into making mistakes)

If only Williams had a bit more speed of thought (and feet) when in the oppo box, as otherwise I thought he was imperious tonight. He was everywhere, hassling, hurrying, driving forward.

Really not sure on the thinking behind taking off Blackett (who was getting skinned by Fredericks at will) and replacing him with an even slower defender . I'd also have been tempted to take off McCleary as he was blowing out his arse the last 15min

Anyway, I'm all for this new style of lower possession, higher intensity football....

LOL at the Fulham handball at the end

Royal Ginger

» 25 Jan 2017 00:00

I thoroughly enjoyed that. Of the 5 halfs I've watched us play against Fulham this year, the 5th was the best.

Chris Martin lost that for them as much as any of our guys won it for us. His body language was awful, and he looked rusty, jaded and unfit.

Fair fukcs to Stam, he finally worked them out to an extent.

McShane was very good but almost talked himself into a red card more than once.

Al-Habsi was obviously the hero, but a mix of the Fulham press and his recent mistakes gave him no confidence with his short pass. Hopefully 10,000+ people chanting his name will sort that.

I don't think that Stam wanted to use Ilori as a wing back but had no choice as Blackett was so godawful. The rest of the team wouldn't pass to him and he just seemed to give up 2 minutes in when the crowd got on his back a bit.

He faded a bit but Beerens was back to his old mercurial self that we saw early in the season again.

Cold, but enjoyable night out and a decent 3 points.

WAZZOCK

» 25 Jan 2017 00:00

Aside from being poor defensively, Blackett was taken off because he picked up a knock. Tiago's performance showed plenty of promise.

Kelly was phenomenal to watch, and Swift was back to his elegant self.

Beerens had his best game for quite a while, and McCleary looked good in a position he was clearly not used to.

McShane, JVDB and Moore were all superb.

Very, very happy with that result, it could turn out to be a big win.

Gunny Fishcake

» 25 Jan 2017 00:26

Great to beat one of our bogey teams in what I thought was an entertaining game . I think we got away with a result as Fulham looked very dangerous attacking especially with their full backs who roasted our full backs ! God do we need a striker . As for Asabi .....I just presumed they'd score......was like a last minute winner when he saved it.....great three points which sees us again unbelievably third .....us third !

Lower West

» 25 Jan 2017 00:33

Stam altered the starting line up to counter Fulhams attacking threat and it worked well on the whole. Kelly and Swift will make a formidable partnership in time. Roll on Cardiff.